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Auto sales dropped again in November, the major U.S. manufacturers reported Friday as they began retrenching with production cuts.

Ford Motor Co. warned that sagging sales and production cuts in North America and Europe would drop fourth-quarter profits 10 cents a share -- or roughly $190 million -- below expectations.

Ford also said it would idle passenger car plants the last week in December to cut inventories. The Chrysler side of DaimlerChrysler AG also announced a series of temporary plant shutdowns aimed at trimming stocks of unsold cars and trucks.

Ford said its U.S. sales in November were down 8 percent, with cars down 17 percent and trucks down 3 percent. GM's sales were also down 8 percent, as cars fell 9 percent and trucks fell 7.5 percent. Chrysler said its sales were down 5 percent, with cars down 15 percent and trucks down 2 percent.

Foreign manufacturers reported a more mixed picture.

A Discouraging Sign

Manufacturing activity declined for the fourth month in a row in November, an industry group reported Friday, offering further evidence of a slowdown in the U.S. economy.

The National Association of Purchasing Managers said its purchasing index fell to 47.7 percent in November, down from the 48.3 it reported in October. An NAPM index above 50 signifies growth, while a figure below 50 means contraction.

``We continue to see few signs of encouragement in the near term for the manufacturing sector,'' said Norbert J. Ore, who oversees the monthly survey.

The report's figures are based on a survey of purchasing executives who buy the raw materials and supplies for manufacturing at more than 350 industrial firms. Economists interpreted the results as yet another indication that the U.S. economy is heading for a soft landing.

Xerox Troubles Multiply

Have You Heard?

Roads and planes aren't the only venues for releases of rage these days.

Long hours and an increase in workplace stress are giving rise to a phenomenon known as ``desk rage,'' said a recent study by Integra Realty Resources Inc.

Ten percent of 1,305 working adults surveyed said they've witnessed physical violence in their workplaces and 42 percent reported yelling and other verbal abuse where they work, according to the study. Another 23 percent said stress in the office has reduced them to tears.

Sean Hutchinson, director of New York-based Integra, a real estate advisory firm, said desk rage is spurred by overcrowded, dismal and unsafe offices, unrealistic deadlines, the replacement of offices with cubicles, ill-mannered co-workers and excessive workloads.

To alleviate the mental and physical toll of office work, Integra recommends taking more breaks throughout the day, drinking less coffee and having a good daily laugh.